Show Review - LA LOM 10/26/24 Miami Beach, FL
A Beach Vibe
It’s always a treat when you get to check out a band for the first time on a last-minute whim – and I was ecstatic to find out yesterday afternoon that LA LOM was performing at the Miami Beach Bandshell just a ten-minute walk from our hotel.
I first caught wind of the Los Angeles League of Musicians when they were tapped to open Cory Wong’s winter tour at the beginning of this year – while I was unable to attend any of the shows in person, I checked out some videos online and was captivated by their unique sound and vibe. I immediately put them on my list of bands I really want to see live, which made yesterday’s serendipitous show even better.
The trio, made up of guitarist Zac Sokolow, bassist Jake Faulkner, and drummer Nicholas Baker, centres their sound around Mexican-influenced grooves and movements while infusing a distinctly adventurous spirit – especially in Sokolow’s guitar playing.
The musical similarities to Khruangbin stuck out to me during my first live experience, especially in LA LOM’s original music. While Baker’s incredibly unique drumming style sees him utilize a conga in lieu of a snare most of the time – helping with the worldly flavour of the songs – a new original titled “Belvedere” saw a more traditional drumming approach in a song that would have been right at home in a Khruangbin show.
However, while the Texas trio leans more to the psychedelic and sexier side with their minimalist vocals and compositions, LA LOM shines as an in-your-face, good-time band – Faulkner and Sokolow bounced around the stage ear-to-ear grins for most of the 90-minute performance, the former egging on the crowd to whoop and cheer as he smoothly switched from electric to upright bass – sometimes mid-song.
After last night, I will eagerly be following LA LOM into the future as they continue to grow – the demographic at the show was incredibly diverse and shows how this kind of feel-good and exciting music can appeal to all types of listener. This trio is already on the rise and I only see bigger and bigger things for them.
LA LOM heads to Europe next week before returning Stateside in December. Bonus – they’re a part of Goose’s Viva El Gonzo Mexico destination festival in the spring, and I am ecstatic to be able to see them on the beach again there.
